Canandaigua, N.Y. —
Perhaps it was Canandaigua coaching legend Mike Foster who said it best when presenting Jim Northrop with the 1981 Canandaigua Academy Bill Newkirk Award.
“Tom Lasorda bled Dodger Blue,” Foster said that day. “Well, Canandaigua’s No. 1 fan Jim Northrop bleeds Canandaigua Cherry Red. It’s certainly fitting that you are receiving this award.”
That was 28 years ago and Northrop — or “Nort” to the multitude of Canandaigua fans who know him — still bleeds Cherry Red.
Nort’s CA roots run deep. Having graduated from CA in 1968, he developed his love for Braves athletics growing up watching his brother Tom play basketball, baseball and soccer at the Academy.
Name: Jim Northrop
Age: 62
Occupation: Custodian at Canandaigua Academy for the last 10 years after working a number of years for the VA and Thompson hospitals
Family: Mom Ann, brother Tom, dad Harold who died a few years ago.
Hobbies: Sports. He keeps a scrapbook of everything athletic in Canandaigua High School sports.
Talk about your dedication to CA sports.
“It’s my hometown team. I went to school here. When I was a kid I didn’t smoke or drink. Still don’t. I spent my spare time going to all the games. I just like going to the Braves games as often as I can. Did back then as a kid and still do to this day.”
What is one of the biggest common traits among all CA sports?
“The dedication of the players, coaches and fans. Canandaigua has always had quality teams through the years, and I believe it is a combination of the dedication of everybody involved that has taken all of the successful Braves student-athletes to where they are now.”
Any special memories over the years?
“The school’s first sectional basketball title in 1977 when Kevin Perron, Terry Meath and Richie O’Donnell played on the team. Phil Andrews was the coach. Phil was the one who got me started as a stat man for the teams. It was on a Friday night Jan. 5, 1971 when Phil asked me to first keep the books for his team.”
Nort did that for quite some time for several Braves teams, but it’s been a few years now since he has given it up. He says he learned to keep stats by spending many a night as a youngster sitting in front of the TV with his dad watching sports and keeping track on paper of each game.
Any favorite coaches or teams?
“I get along with all the coaches, old and new through the years. But I have to say that Mike Foster is one of my favorites. As far as any one team being my favorite over the years, every single team that has played here has been my favorite.”
How long do you plan on keeping up this dedication for helping and watching CA sports?
“Until the day I pass away. I’ve been doing this for 38 years now, following and helping CA athletics. I see myself doing this until my last day on this earth.”
